Part 35 (1/2)

”That is to say, I must betray my Marie?” cried Trude, angrily.

”No, not betray, but rescue her. Will you do it?” asked Ebenstreit.

”I wish to be paid my wages, my two hundred thalers, that I have honestly earned, and I will have them.”

Ebenstreit took a piece of paper from his pocket. Writing a few lines with a pencil, he laid it upon the table. ”If you will take this to my cas.h.i.+er after the ceremony to-morrow, he will pay you four hundred thalers.”

”Four hundred thalers in cash,” cried Trude, joyfully clapping her hands. ”Shall all that beautiful money be mine, and--No, I do not believe you,” she cried, her face rea.s.suming its gloomy, suspicious look. ”You promise it to me to-day, that I may a.s.sist you, and persuade Marie to the marriage, but to-morrow, when old Trude is of no more use, you will send me away penniless. Oh, I know how it is. I have lived long enough to understand the tricks of rich people. I will see the cash first--only for that will I sell myself.”

”The old woman pleases me,” said Ebenstreit. ”She is practical, and she is right.--If I promise you the money in an hour, will you persuade Marie to cease her foolish resistance, and be my wife? Will you watch over her, and tell us if any thing unusual occurs?”

”Four hundred thalers is a pretty sum,” repeated Trude, in a low voice to herself. ”I might buy myself a place in the hospital, and have enough left to get me a new bed and neat furniture and--”

Here her voice was lost in unintelligible mumbling, and, much excited, she appeared to count eagerly. With her bony forefinger she numbered over the fingers of her left hand, as if each were a fortune that she must verify and examine.

The mother and the banker regarded each other with mocking looks; the general looked at the money, grumbling: ”If I had had four hundred thalers the last time I played, I could have won back my money in playing again.”

”Old woman,” said Ebenstreit, ”have you not finished with your reckoning?”

”Yes,” she said, with an exultant laugh, ”I have done! Four hundred thalers are not sufficient. I must have five, and if you will give them to me in cash in an hour, then I will do every thing that you wish, and persuade Marie to the marriage. I will watch her day and night, and tell you every thing that she says and does. But I must have five hundred in cas.h.!.+”

Ebenstreit turned his dull-blue eyes to Frau von Werrig with a triumphant smile. ”Did you not tell me the old woman could not be bought? I knew that I was right. You did not offer her money enough; she will sell herself dear as possible.”

”Yes, as dear as she can,” laughed Trude--”five hundred is my price.”

”You shall have it in cash in an hour,” said Ebenstreit, in a friendly manner.

”So much money,” whined the general; ”it would have saved me if I had had it that last time.”

”My son-in-law, I must confess you are exceedingly generous,” remarked the mother.

”No sum would be too great to a.s.sure me my bride. Go now, Trude, you shall have the money in time.--Will you allow me, father, to send your servant to my office for it?”

”Send Leberecht here, Trude!”

The old woman hurried out of the room, but the door once closed, her manner changed. One might have supposed a sudden cramp had seized her, from her distorted face, and twitching and panting, and beating the air with her clinched fists, and her quivering lips uttering broken words.

Approaching footsteps warned her to a.s.sume her general manner and expression, and cease her manipulations. ”The ladies and gentlemen wish you in the parlor,” mumbled Trude to the servant descending the stairs.

”But where have you been, and what have you to do up there?”

”I was looking for you, lovely one--nothing more!”

”Well, now you have found me, tell me what you want? I know you were sneaking about, listening, because you thought I was with Marie. I understand you better than you think I do. I have found many a viper, and I am familiar with their aspect. Go! they are waiting for you, and let me find you again spying about, and I will throw a pail of water on you!”

With this friendly a.s.surance Trude dismissed Leberecht, and hastened with youthful activity to the little garret-room, when Marie fell upon her neck, weeping bitterly.

”Calm yourself--do not weep so--it breaks my heart, my dear child.”